Luggaoe rack



March 4, 1969 BOTT Re. 26,538

LUGG AGE RACK Original Filed Aug. 51, 1965 Sheet of a INVENTOR.

fi- 10% A130 1 Sheet J. A. BOTT LUGGAGE RACK March 4, 1969 OriginalFiled Aug. 31, 1965 J. A. BQTT LUGGAGE RACK March 4, 1969 Original FiledAug. 31, 1965 INVENTOR. J57? 3&3?

March 4, 1969 J BOTT Re. 26,538

LUGGAGE RACK Original Filed Aug. 31, 1965 Sheet 4 of a i AL? M4 /46 Z1A44 11 M5 4 J AM #4 1 /50, /i

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LUGGAGE RACK Original Filed Aug. 51, 1965 Sheet 5 of a 1J y n q 127 04M4 10 4 1! M7 14 .M

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INVENTOR.

March 4, 1969 BOTT Re. 26,538

LUGGAGE RACK Original Filed Aug. 31. 1965 Sheet 6 of s l M E March 4,1969 J, A BQTT R8. 26,538

LUGGAGE RACK Original Filed Aug. 31, 1965 Sheet 7 or a IE INVENTORAri/.4.

United States Patent 26,538 LUGGAGE RACK John A. Bott, 931 LakeshoreDrive, Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich. 48236 Original No. 3,330,454, datedJuly 11, 1967, Ser. No. 483,915, Aug. 31, 1965. Application for reissueDec. 4, 1967, Ser. No. 690,032 US. Cl. 224-421 22 Claims Matter enclosedin heavy brackets I: appears in the original patent but forms no part ofthis reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates theadditions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A luggage rack for carrying luggage or thelike on an automotive vehicle comprising a pair of spaced m ulti-sidedload constraining side members, at least one cross member extendinglaterally between the side members, means on the opposite ends of thecross member and cooperable guideway means on one side of each of theside members for securing the cross member to the side members in amanner such that the cross member is longitudinally movable along theside members, at least one stanchion member for supporting each of theside members, each of the stanchion members having a lower end portionadapted to be fixedly secured to the vehicle, means for securing theupper ends of the stanchions to one side of the adjacent of the sidemembers other than the sides thereof along which the guideway means arelocated, whereby the cross member may be moved longitudinally of theside members without interfering with the stanchions, the last mentionedmeans including screw means extending between the upper ends a) thestanchions and the side members and disposed out of longitudinalalignment with the guideway means, a transversely extending winddeflector adapted to direct a flow of wind toward a rear portion of theautomotive vehicle, and means for supporting the wind deflector on therearward terminal ends of side members independent of the cross rail.

This invention relates generally to means for carrying luggage and thelike on automotive vehicles and, more particularly, to a new andimproved luggage rack construction adapted to be operativcly mounted onthe roof of an automotive vehicle.

The luggage rack of the present invention employs a pair of side railswhich extend longitudinally along the opposite sides of the roof of anautomotive vehicle. The side rails are of uniform cross section and haveoutwardly facing channels or nonplanar surfaces which are matinglyengageable with the upper ends of a plurality of stanchions which serveto support the rack upon the vehicle roof. By this means, the stanchionsmay be connected to the side rails at almost any desirable longitudinalposition. The side rails are interconnected by a pair of cross rails, atleast one of which is longitudinally adjustable with respect to theother, whereby to vary the size of the space bounded by the side railsand cross rails in accordance with the size and type of load beingtransported. The ends of the aforesaid side rails are provided withsuitable end caps or with mounting brackets for supporting a winddeflector which can be mounted on the luggage rack at the rear endthereof.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide anew and improved luggage rack in which any number of stanchions may bereadily secured to the longitudinally extending side rails and atvirtually any desirable longitudinal position thcrealong.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved luggage rack of the above character Reissued Mar. 4, 1969 whichis constructed of standard components that may be cut to various desiredlengths to accommodate luggage racks specifically designed for differentvehicles, thereby minmizing the special tooling and accompanyingexpenses required to fabricate specific luggage racks for each type ofvehicle and vehicle model.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved luggage rack of the above character which may have itsornamental appearance changed by merely varying the size andconfiguration of the end caps provided on the opposite ends of the siderails thereof, which changes are possible without requiring anyretooling for the remaining luggage rack components.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved luggage rack of the above character which features novel andinexpensive means for interconnecting the various components thereofwithout exposing the fastening means employed.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved luggage rack of the above character wherein the brackets forinterconnecting the cross rails to the side rails are universallyangularly adjustable relative to one another whereby to accommodatevehicle roofs of various contours.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a luggage rackof the above character wherein one or more of the cross rails may beangularly adjusted to minimize wind noise.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved luggage rack of the above character which particularly lendsitself to the use of superior metals which are light-weight, rust-proofand pleasant in appearance.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a luggagerack of the above character which is adapted to be easily secured ormounted on the roof of an automotive vehicle.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a luggagerack of the above character which is strong, easily assembled,reasonable in cost and which is durable in construction.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevated perspective view of the luggage rack of thepresent invention mounted on the roof of a partially illustratedautomotive vehicle;

FIGURE 2 is another elevated perspective view of the luggage rack of thepresent invention on a somewhat larger scale than that shown in FIGURE1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged top elevational view, partially broken away, ofthe luggage rack shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side clevational view, partially broken away, ofthe structure illustrated in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a front end view on a reduced scale of the structureillustrated in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along theline 66 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along theline 77 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along theline 88 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 9 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along the line 99 ofFIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along the line10-10 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken alongthe line 11-11 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line12-42 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line1313 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 14 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along the line14-14 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of a section of one of theluggage supporting base rails incorporated in the luggage rackillustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3;

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the structureillustrated in FIGURE 15;

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line17-17 of FIGURE 16;

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion ofthe wind deflector and mounting means therefor incorporated in theluggage rack illustrated in FIGURES l, 2 and 3;

FIGURE 19 is a side elevational view of a modified construction of theluggage rack of the present invention, as shown operatively mounted on atruck vehicle or the like;

FIGURE 20 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an end portion ofthe modified luggage rack construction illustrated in FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 21 is a top elevational view of the structure illustrated inFIGURE 20;

FIGURE 22 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially broken away,of a modified construction of the present invention;

FIGURE 23 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line23-23 of FIGURE 22:

FIGURRE 24 is a view similar to FIGURE 22 and illustrating anothermodified construction of the present invention; and

FIGURE 25 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line25-25 of FIGURE 24.

Referring now to FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings, a luggage rack 10,constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, is shown operatively mounted on a substantially flat roofportion 12 of a conventional automotive vehicle 14. The luggage rack 10includes a pair of identical elongated spaced parallel side rails 16 and18 which extend longitudinally of the roof portion 12 along the oppositesides thereof. The luggage rack 10 also includes a plurality oflongitudinally extending base rails, generally designated 20, andtransversely or laterally extending cross rails 22, 23 and base railsupport straps 24 which, together with the side rails 16 and 18, aresecured to the roof portion 12 by means of a plurality of laterally andlongitudinally spaced stanchions, generally designated by the numeral26.

As best seen in FIGURES 10 and 11, the side rails 16 i and 18 aregenerally tubular in transverse cross section and define elongatedcentral cavities 28. The outboard sides of the rails 16 and 18 areformed with longitudinally extending, generally V-shaped channels 30,and the inboard sides of the rails 16, 18 are formed with longitudinalopenings 32 which are communicable with cavities 28 and above and belowwhich vertically spaced, laterally inwardly projecting andlongitudinally extending flange sections 34 and 36, respectively, areformed. The lower and upper sides of the flange sections 34 and 36,respectively, are formed with vertically aligned grooves or recesses 38and 40 which are coextensive of the rails 16, 18 and function in amanner later to be described.

As best seen in FIGURES 4, 8, 11 and 13, the side rails 16 and 18 aresupported upon the roof portion 12 of the automotive vehicle 14 by theplurality of upwardly extending and forwardly and inwardly inclinedstanchions 26, the upper ends of which are formed with side railengaging sections 42 that are complementary to and adapted tocontiguously engage the outboard sides of the side rails 16 and 18. Inparticular, the sections 42 include upper portions 44 adapted tocontiguously engage the channels 30 and lower portions 46 which areadapted to contiguously engage the lower Outboard sides of the siderails 16, 18 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 11. It will be seenthat since the side rails 16 and 18 are of uniform cross section alongtheir entire lengths, the stanchions 26 are adapted to engage and berigidly secured to the side members at substantially any desiredlongitudinal location along the rails 16 and 18, whereby to provideflexibility and universality of installation. As best illustrated inFIGURES 8 and 11, the upper end sections 42 of each of the stanchions 26is secured to its associated side rail 16 or 1.8 by means of a pair ofsuitable screws, bolts or the like 48 which extend through suitableopenings 50 in the inboard ends of the channels 30, suitable access tothe screws 48 being provided through the longitudinally extendingopenings 32 and cavities 28 to facilitate assembly and disassembly ofthe stanchions 26 and side rails 16, 18.

The lower end of each of the stanchions 26 is formed with a generallyrectangular shaped base section 52 which, as best illustrated in FIGURES8 and 13, is adapted to bear upon the roof portion 12 of the vehicle 14to support the luggage rack 10 thereon. The base sections 52 are formedwith longitudinally spaced countersunk bores 54 through which suitablescrews, bolts or the like 56 extend for rigidly securing the stanchions6 to the roof portion 12. Suitable gasket members 58, which havesubstantially the same conformation as the base sections 52 and areconstructed of a resilient and deformable material such as rubber or thelike, are provided interjacent the lower side of each of the stanchionbase sections 52 and the roof portion 12, as best seen in FIGURE 13.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3, the plurality of longitudinallyextending base rails 20 are laterally spaced between the side rails 16and 18 and are mounted directly above the upper surface of the roofportion 12 of the automotive vehicle 14. As seen in FIGURES 15 through17, each of the base rails 20 is generally M- shaped in transverse crosssection and comprises inclined outer sides 60 and 62 which terminate attheir lower sides in laterally inwardly extending flange sections 64 and66, respectively. The plurality of base rails 20 are adapted to besecured to the luggage rack 10 by means of two longitudinally spacedbase rail support straps 24 which extend transversely between the basesections 52 of the front and rear laterally aligned pairs of stanchions26. As best seen in FIGURE 13, the outer ends of the straps 24 are bent90 upwardly, as seen at 68, and are nested within generally rectangularshaped recesses formed in the inboard sides of the base sections 52 ofthe stanchions 26, the upturned end sections 68 being rigidly securedwithin the recess 70 by suitable screws, bolts or the like 72. It willbe noted that the lower sides of the straps 24 are spaced slightly abovethe upper surface of the roof portion 12, as best seen in FlGURE 13.

The base rails 20 and support straps 24 are rigidly interconnected bymeans of a plurality of interengageable notches or recesses formed inthe members 20 and 24, as best illustrated in FIGURES 14 through 16. Inparticular, at the intersection of each of the base rails 20 and thesupport straps 24, the side sections 60, 62 and flange sections 64, 66of the base rail members 20 are cut away, as best seen at 74 in FIGURES16 and 17. At the same intersection locations, the transverselyextending support straps 24 are cut away along their opposite edges in amanner such that a pair of deformable tab sections 76 and 78 are formed.The cut away sections 74 of the base rails 20 are of substantially thesame length as the widths of the straps 24 after the straps 24 have beencut to form the sections 76, 78, whereby the sections 74 of the baserail members 20 are adapted to have the cut away sections of the straps24 nested therewithin, as best seen in FIGURE 15. After the members 20and 24 have been thus assembled, the tab sections 76 and 78 may bedeformed downwardly from the position illustrated by the dotted lines inFIGURE 17 to the position illustrated by the solid lines in this figure,whereby the sections 76, 78 engage the flange sections 64 and 66 tolockingly secure the base rail members to the support straps 24 and thuspreclude any relative lateral or longitudinal movement between thesemembers.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 8, the cross rail 22 extends transverselybetween the rear ends of the side rails 16 and 18 and is adapted to beadjustably secured at its Opposite ends thereto, whereby to vary thesize of the space bounded by the side rails 16 and 18 and the crossrails 22 and 23 extending laterally thcrebetween. More particularly, theopposite ends of the cross rail 22 are secured to the inboard sides ofthe side rails 16 and 18 by means of a pair of retainer or supportbrackets, one of which is illustrated in FIGURE 8 and designated by thenumeral 80. The bracket is formed with a laterally inwardly projectinglug portion 82 that is adapted to be inserted within the adjacent end ofthe cross rail member 22 which, as illustrated in FIGURE 9, is generallyoval shaped in transverse section. A generally flat shoulder 84 extendsoutwardly around the outboard end of the lug portion 82 and is adaptedto have the end of the cross rail 22 abut thereagainst. The end of thecross rail 22 is rigidly secured to the bracket 80 by means on asuitable locking screw, bolt or the like 86 which extends upwardlythrough a suitable countersunk aperture 88 in the lower side of thecross rail 22 and thread-ably engages a suitable opening 90 in the lowerside of the lug portion 82, as best seen in FIGURE 11.

As seen in FIGURE 8, the retaining bracket 80 includes a forwardlyprojecting section 92 which is adapted to be adjustably secured to theinboard side of the side rail 16, the section 92 being of substantiallythe same height as the inboard dimensions of the side rail 16 so that asubstantially smooth and pleasant appearing contour is provided betweenthese members upon assembly thereof. The section 92 is provided with apair of outwardly extending boss portions 94 and 96 which arelongitudinally aligned and adapted to be nested within thelongitudinally extending opening 32 defined between the upper and lowerflange sections 34 and 36 of the side rail 16. The rearmost boss portion94 is formed with an outwardly projecting reduced size section 98 uponwhich an annular washer 100 is carried, the washer 100 being slightlythinner in section than the vertically aligned grooves 38 and 40 in theflange sections 34, 36 and being slidably carried within the grooves 38,40, as best seen in FIGURES 11 and 12. The outermost end of the section98 is peened or crimped radially outwardly as seen at 102 in FIGURE 8whereby to secure the washer 100 on the boss portion 94. An outwardlydirected bore 104 is formed in the forwardmost end of the section 92 ofthe bracket 80, which bore is countersunk at its inboard end and extendslaterally outwardly through the boss portion 96, as seen in FIGURE 8. Anexternally threaded screw, bolt or the like 106 is rotatably mountedwithin the bore 104 and is adapted to threadably engage a central bore108 formed in a rectangularly shaped slide member 110 which is slidablycarried within the grooves 38 and 40 on the side rail 16 and is adaptedto be inserted into the grooves 38, 40 from the end of the side rail 16prior to assembly of the luggage rack .10. The screw 106 is providedwith an enlarged, externally knurled head section 112 which facilitatesmanual tightening thereof. It will be seen that as the screw 106 istightened, the slide member 110 will be drawn laterally inwardly towardthe boss portion 96 whereby to compress the portion of the flangesections 34 and 36 interjacent with the grooves 38 and 40 and theinboard ends of the fiange sections 34 and 36, thus tightly securing thebracket 80 and hence the adjacent end of the cross rail 22 to the siderail 16. Upon loosening the screw 106, the bracket 80' may belongitudinaly adjusted along the side rail 16 to facilitate positioningthe cross rail 22 at any desired longitudinal location along the siderail 16, as will be apparent.

As best seen in FIGURES 1 through 3, the cross rail 23 which extendslaterally between the forward ends of the side rails 16 and 18 comprisesright and left sections, 23a and 23b, each of which extends half-wayacross the roof portion 14 of the vehicle 12. The inboard ends of thesections 23a and 23b intersect at a position slightly forwardly of theoutboard ends thereof, which inboard ends are supported upon the roofportion 12 by a center stanchion member best illustrated in FIGURES 4and 7 and generally designated by the numeral 112. The stanchion 112generally comprises a lower mounting section 114 and an upper cross railsupport section 116 between which a forwardly and upwardly inclinedmedial section 118 extends and is integrally connected therewith. Theupper cross rail support section 116 is formed with a pair of laterallyoutwardly projecting tongue or lug portions 120 and 122 which, asillustrated in FIGURE 7, are slightly smaller in cross section than theinterior of the cross rail sections 23a and 23b. The inboard ends of thesections 23a, 23b are adapted to fit over the lug portions 120 and 122and abut against spaced parallel surface portions 124 and 126,respectively, formed on the opposite sides of the stanchion section 116eircumjacent the portions 120 and 122. The inboard ends of the crossrail sections 23a and 23b are rigidly secured to the stanchion member112 by means of a pair of locking screws, bolts or the like (not shown)which extend upwardly from the lower sides of the sections 23a and 23bthrough suitable apertures 128 and 130 and lockingly engage the lowersides of the lug portions 120 and 122. Preferably the forward side ofthe stanchion section 116 is formed with a pair of inclined surfaceportions 132 and 134 which are substantially coplanar with the forwardsides of the cross rail sections 23a and 23b, whereby to provide apleasant appearing contour at the juncture of the sections 23a, 23b andstanchion 112.

The lower mounting section 114 of the stanchion memher 112 extendslongitudinally of the rack 10 and is preferably longitudinally alignedwith the center base rail 20, the section 114 being rigidly secured tothe roof portion 14 of the vehicle 12 by a suitable screw, bolt or thelike 136 which extends downwardly through a suitable countersunkaperture 138 formed in the rear end of the section 114, as seen inFIGURE 7. The forward end of the aforesaid center base rail 20preferably abuts against the rear end of the stanchion section 114 inthe manner illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 7.

The outboard ends of the cross rail sections 23a and 23b are adapted tobe supported on the forwardmost ends of the said rails 16 and 18,respectively, by means of a pair of the hereinbefore described retainerbrackets 80 which, together with a pair of forwardly extending end capsgenerally designated 140, are rigidly connected to forward ends of theside rails 16 and 18. More particularly and as best illustrated inFIGURE 6, the outboard end of the cross rail section 23a is adapted tohave the laterally inwardly projecting lug portion 82 of its associatedretainer bracket 80 inserted therewithin, the outboard end of the railsection 23a being cut at a predetermined angle so as to contiguouslyengage the fiat shoulder 84 formed on the retainer bracket 80 around theoutboard end of the lug portion 82. The lug portion 82 is formed with aninclined rearwardly directed face portion 142 which is disposed at anangle relative to the shoulder 84 so as to tightly engage the adjacentinner peripheral portion of the outboard end of the cross rail section23a. A suitable locking screw, bolt or the like (not shown), extendsupwardly through a suitable aperture 144 formed in the lower side of thecross rail section 23a and threadedly engages a suitable aperture 146 onthe lower side of the lug portion 82, whereby to rigidly secure thesection 23a and bracket 80 together.

It will be seen that the retaining bracket 80, shown in FIGURE 6, isreversed with respect to the bracket 80 described in connection with therear cross rail 20 and shown in FIGURE 8; that is, the section 92 of thebracket 80 in FIGURE 6 extends rearwardly along the inboard side of theside rail 16 instead of forwardly as does the section 92 of the bracketin FIGURE 8. It will be seen, however, that the boss portions 94 and 96of the bracket 80 in FIGURE 6 are adapted to be nested within theopening 32 defined between the upper and lower flange sections 34 and 36of the side rail 16 in the same manner that the boss portions of thebracket 80 in FIGURE 8 fit within the opening 32. As seen in FIGURE 6,bracket 80 is rigidly secured to the forward end of the side rail 16 bymeans of a suitable countersunk screw 148 that extends through anopening, which is similar to the opening 104 shown in FIGURE 8, in theboss portion 96 and thread ably engages the central bore formed in arectangular shaped slide member 152 that is slidably carried in thegrooves 38 and 40 of the side rail 16 and is identical in constructionto the aforedescrib-ed slide member 110 described in connection withFIGURE 8. It will be noted that the screw 148 is not provided with aknurled head section as is the screw 106 since the bracket 80 and crossrail section 23a are not intended to be longitudinally adjusted relativeto the side rail 16. It will also be noted that the boss portion 94 ofthe bracket 80 is not provided with a slide washer as is theaforedescribed boss portion 94 of the bracket 80 shown in FIGURE 8.

The end cap member 104 which is associated with the forwardmost end ofthe slide rail 16 is best shown in FIGURE 6 and comprises a forwardlyprojecting, generally pointed section 154 and a rearwardly extendingmounting section 156, the latter of which terminates at its rearmost endin a generally L-shaped tang 158 which is adapted to be lockinglysecured to the inboard side of the laterally outboard portion of theside rail 16 by one of the screws 48 utilized to secure the upper siderail engaging section 42 of the associated stanchion member 26 to theside rail 16, as hereinbefore described. The rearmost end 160 of thetang 158 extends transversely within the cavity 28 ot' the side rail 16and preferably tightly engages the opposite sides thereof thus serves tofurther secure the end cap 140 to the forward end of the side rail 16. Amedial portion of the laterally inboard side of the end cap member 140is formed with a laterally inwardly projecting boss portion 162 which islaterally aligned with the lug portion 82 of the retainer bracket 80,the end cap 140 being rigidly secured to the retainer bracket 80 bymeans of an elongated bolt 164 which extends laterally through asuitable opening 166 in the inboard end of the lub portion 82 and isthreaded within a suitable bore 168 in the boss portion 162. The inboardside of the forwardly projecting section 154 of the end cap 140 isformed with an inwardly projecting shoulder 170 which is adapted toengage the forward end of the retainer bracket 80, as best seen inFIGURE 6. The shoulder 170 and tang 158 are preferably formed such thata substantially smooth conformation is provided between the outboardside of the side rail 16, the forward side of the retainer bracket 80and the opposite sides of the cross rail section 2321, whereby toprovide substantially smooth surfaces at the juncture of the members 16,80, 140 and 23a.

It will be seen from the above description that the end cap member 140,retainer bracket 80, side rail 16, cross rail section 23a and stanchion26. are secured together at the forward outboard edge of the luggagerack 10 in a manner such that a minimum number of fastening means, i.e.,screws, bolts and the like are exposed, thereby substantially enhancingthe appearance of the luggage rack 10 of the present invention.

It may also be noted that with the present design, the conformation ofthe end caps 140 may be changed slightly from year to year withoutrequiring any changes in the rest of the component members of theluggage rack 10, whereby to provide for annual design variations inaccordance with automotive vehicle model changes.

As illustrated in FIGURES l, 2 and 18. the luggage rack 10 is providedwith an elongated wind deflector, generally designated 172, whichextends laterally across Sit (ill

the rear end of the rack 10 directly above and slightly rearwardly ofthe rear window 174 of the vehicle 12. The wind dellcctor 172 isslightly arcuate in transverse section and is preferably constructed ofa substantially rigid noncorrosive material such as aluminum. stainlesssteel, plastic, or the like. The deflector 172 is adapted to be securedto the rear end of the luggage rack 10 by means of a pair of laterallyspaced support brackets, generally designated by the numeral 176, whichare mounted on the rear ends of the side rails 16 and 18. Moreparticularly, the brackets 176, one of which is illustrated in FIGURE18, comprise downwardly tapered sections 178 which are adapted to besecured to the lorwardmost side of the wind deilector 172 by means ofsuitable screws, bolts, or the like 180. The sections 178 terminate attheir upper ends in longitudinally extending mounting sections 182 whichhave substantially the same outer conformation or cross sectional shapeas the exterior of the side rails 16 and 18. The toruarn'most ends ofthe mounting sections 182 are formed with integral tongue sections 184,as best seen in l' lGURE 8, which are of an identical configuration inlransversc cross section to the central cavity 28, opening 32, andgrooves 34 and 36 of the side rails 16 and 18, as best seen in FIGURE14, these tongue sections 184 thereby being adapted to be insertedwithin the rear ends of the side rails 16 and 18 in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 8. The brackets 176 are formed with substantiallyfiat shoulder portions 186 around the tongue sections 184, whichportions 186 are adapted to abut against the rear ends of the side rails16 and 18. The brackets 176 and hence the wind deflector 172 are adaptedto be rigidly secured to the rear end of the luggage rack 10 by means ofa plurality of suitable screws, bolts or the like 187 which extendupwardly through suitable openings 188 in the lower sides of the siderails 16 and 18 and threadably engage suitable apertures 190 in thetongue sections 184 olthcbrackcts176.

Referring now to FIGURES l9 through 21, a slightly modified constructionof the luggage rack 10 of the present invention is shown operalivelymounted on a panel-type truck vehicle 200 having a substantially fiat,elongated root portion 202, the construction of the luggage rack 10being substantially identical to that hereinbefore described with theexception that a plurality of stanchions 26 are utilized to support eachof the side rails 16 and 18 on the roof portion 202, and that theprovision of the wind deflector 172 is omitted. It will be apparent, ofcourse, that the additional stanchions 26 which are provided for thesupport of each of the side rails 16 and 18 are adapted to be rigidlysecured to the roof portion 202 and to the side rails 16 and 18 in amanner identical to that described hereinbefore.

Due to the fact that the modified construction of the luggage rack 10 ofthe present invention is not provided with the aforedcscribed winddeflector 172 and hence not with the wind deflector mounting brackets176, a pair of the hereinbefore described end caps 140 are provided onthe rear ends of the side rails 16 and 18 and are secured thereto byhaving their L-shaped tang sections 158 secured within the cavities 28of the side rails 16 and 18 by the screws 48 used for securing therearrnost stanchions 26 to the side rails 16 and 18, as hereinabovedescribed. In the instant embodiment of the luggage rack 10, the rearcross rail 22 is supported by a pair of the above-described retainerbrackets 80 which are adjustably secured to the side rails 16 and 18 bymeans of suitable knurled screws 106 that threadably engage a pair ofslide members (not shown) which are longitudinally slidable within thegrooves 38 and 4!] of the side rails 16 and 18. The cross rail 22 isadapted to be rigidly secured to the lug portion 82 of the retainerbracket 80 by means of a suitable locking screw (not shown) whichextends upwardly through a suitable aperture in the lower side of thecross rail 22 and threadably engages the lug portion 82 in a manneridentical to that shown in FIGURE 8. It will be noted that the lugportions 82 of the retainer brackets 80 are not secured to the end caps140 as was the case with the bracket 80 and end cap 140 described inconnection with FIGURE 6, thus permitting the retainer brackets 80 andthe rear cross rail 22 supported thereby to be longiudinally slidablerelative to the end caps 140 and side rails 16 and 18. Accordingly, thecross rail 22 may be longitudinally adjusted to vary the size of thespace bounded by the cross rail 22 and side rails 16 and 18 inaccordance with the size and type of load to be transported within theluggage rack 10.

Referring now to FIGURES 22 and 23, another slightly modifiedconstruction of. the luggage rack 10 of the present invention comprisesa pair of longitudinally ex tending spaced parallel side rails which aresimilar in construction to the aforcdescribed side rails 16 and 18 andone of which is illustrated herein and designated by the numeral 204.The side rail 204 is generally tubular in transverse cross section anddefines an elongated central cavity 206. The outboard side of the rail204 is formed with a longitudinally extending, generally V- shapedchannel 208 which is preferably identical in configuration to thechannels 30 in the above-described side rails 16 and 18 so that the siderail 204 may be supported upon the roof portion of an automotive vehicleor the like by the same stanchion members 26 utilized to support theabove-described side rails 16 and 18. Accordingly, the side rail 204 isshown rigidly secured to one of the aforedescribed stanchion members 26by a suitable screw, bolt or the like 210 in a manner identical to thatshown in FIGURE ll. The inboard side of the side rail 204 is generallycylindrical in conformation about an axis extending longitudinally ofthe side rail 204. An opening 212 is formed in the inboard side of therail 204, which opening 212 is coextensive of the rail 204 and iscommunicable with the central cavity 206.

The side rail 204 is adapted to support one end of one or more lateralyextending cross rails for longitudinal sliding movement, one of whichrails is illustrated in FIGURES 22 and 23 and designated by the numeral214. Preferably the cross rail 214 is identical in construction to thecross rails 22 and 23 previously described. The outboard end of thecross rail 214 is adapted to be secured to the inboard side of the siderail 204 by means of an elongated retainer plate, generally designated216 and best seen in FIGURE 22. The retainer plate 216 is somewhatcylindical in transverse section and is thereby adapted to contiguouslyengage the outer periphery of the inboard side of the side rail 204 asillustrated.

The medial or central section of the retainer plate 216 is formed with alaterally inwardly projecting embossed portion 218 which defines asubstantially fiat surface 220 against which the outboard end of thecross rail 214 is adapted to engage or abut. The central section of theembossed portion 218 is in turn formed with a laterally inwardlyprojecting embossed portion 222 which is preferably axially aligned withthe axis of the cross rail 214, The retainer plate 216 is rigidlysecured to the end of the cross rail 214 by means of a suitable screw,bolt or the like 224 which extends through a central opening 226 in theembossed portion 222 and threadably engages a suitable opening 228 in aplug member 230 which is press fitted or similarly secured within theend of the cross rail 214, as best seen in FIGURE 23.

The retainer plate 216 is adapted to be secured to the inboard side ofthe side rail 204 by means of a pair of suitable screws, bolts or thelike 232 which extend laterally outward through the opening 212 in theside rail 204 and are threaded within suitable openings 234 in a tappingplate 236 which extends longitudinally within the cavity 206 and is ofsubstantially the same length as the retainer plate 216. As best seen inFIGURE 22, the laterally inboard side of the tapping plate 236 isarcuate in shape to conform with the inner periphery of the laterallyinboard side of the side rail 204. It will be seen from the constructionthus described, that upon tightening the screws 232, the tapping plate236 and retainer plate 216 compress the adjacent portions of the inboardside of the side rail 204, whereby to lockingly secure the cross rail214 at a preselected longitudinal position along the side rail 204;however, upon loosening the screws 232, the cross rail 214 may be movedlongitudinally relative to the side rail 204 for the purpose ofadjustment, as above described. Furthermore, at such time as the screws232 are loosened, the cross rail 214 may be pivoted either upwardly ordownwardly relative to the side rail 204 and stanchion 26 securedthereto, as illustrated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 22, whereby toprovide for limited angular adjustment of the side rail 204 andstanchion 26 relative to the outboard end of the cross rail 214. Withthis construction, the cross rail 214 and side rail 204 may beappropriately adjusted such that the cross rail 214 extendssubstantially horizontally across the roof portion of the associatedautomotive vehicle regardless of the particular conformation or contourof the roof portion to which the lower end of the stanchion member 26 isoperatively secured, hence, the above construction provides foruniversality of installation of the luggage rack 10 of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIGURES 24 and 25, in a construction of the luggagerack of the present invention which is slightly modified from that shownin FIGURES 22 and 23, there is provided a side rail 204, stanchion 26,cross rail 214, tapping plate 236, and plug member 230, all of whichmembers are identical in construction and operation to the componentmembers designated by like numerals in FIGURES 22 and 23. The luggagerack construction shown in FIGURES 24 and 25 also includes a retainerplate 238 which is of substantially the same construction as theaforedescribed retainer plate 216, with the exception that a pair oflaterally inwardly projecting ear portions 240 and 242 are formed in theembossed medial section 218 instead of the embossed portion 222. As bestseen in FIGURE 25, the ear portions 240 and 242 are generally arcuate inshape and are designed such that the upper and lower surfaces 244 and246 thereof, respectively, contiguously engage the inner periphery ofthe interior surface of the cross rail 214. The plate 238 is secured tothe end of the cross rail 214 by means of a suitable bolt 248 whichextends through a washer 250 disposed in the portion 218 and is threadedwithin the plug 230. The plate 238 is connected to the tapping plate 236by the bolts 232, as above described. With this construction, the crossrail 214 may be rotated slightly along its longitudinal axis, as seen bythe phantom lines in FIGURE 25, together with being longitudinallyadjustable and angularly adjustable in the same manner as described inconnection with FIGURES 22 and 23. Accordingly, the cross rail 214 maybe rotatably adjusted to the optimum position wherein objectionable windnoise, which may be produced during operation of the automotive vehicleto which the luggage rack is attached, is reduced to a minimum.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the presentinvention provides a novel luggage rack wherein two or more stanchionmembers may be utilized to opcratively mount the side rails thereof,which stanchion members may be secured to the side rails at any desiredlongitudinal position. It will also be seen that the present inventionprovides a luggage rack which is adapted to be operatively mounted onvehicle roof portions of various conformations or contours. Furthermore,the luggage rack of the present invention may be easily installed in amanner such that the various fastening means, i.e., screws, bolts or thelike, incorporated therein, are substantially hidden from view, wherebyto enhance the appearance of the rack. Preferably, the various siderails, cross rails and base members hereinabove described are fabricatedof extruded aluminum or a similar lighiweight, noncorrosive material,resulting in the luggage rack requiring relatively low cost tooling,such a conslruction also minimizing the structurally accured weight andproviding a corrosion-resistant assembly which is extcrmely pleasant inappearance. Toward this cnd, transversely extending grooves 252 may beprovided in the various cross rails 22. 23, and 214, which grooves maybe painted or similarly decorated.

While it wilt be apparent that the embodiments herein illustrated arewell calculated to fulfill the objects above sxa ed, it ill beappreciated that the luggage rack 10 of the present invention issusceptible to modification, variation and change without departing fromthe proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members,

at least one cross member extending laterally between said side members,

a plurality of stanchion members each having a portion secured to thevehicle and a portion secured to said side members for supporting therack on the vehicle,

said side members and said stanchion members having matingly cngageablesurface portions whereby said stanchion members may be secured to saidside members at any longitudinal position thereon,

means movably interconnecting said cross member and said side memberswhereby said side members are rotatable relative to said cross memberabout axes extending substantially at right angles to said cross member,and

means for movably securing said cross member to said side members forlimited rotative movement about an axis extending parallel to said crossmember.

2. In a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members,

said side members having hollow end portions and laterally outwardlydirected channel portions,

a plurality of stanchion members for supporting the rack on the vehicle,

said stanchion members having portions engageable with said channelportions, and

a plurality of end cap members each including a mounting sectioninsertable within said end portions of said side members.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 which includes wind deflectingmeans extending transversely between said side members.

4. In a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members havinglongitudinally extending channels formed therein and havingsubstantially hollow end portions,

a plurality of stanchion members each having a lower portion secured tothe vehicle and an upper portion engageable with said channels in saidside members,

a plurality of end caps having tang portions disposed within the hollowend portions of said side rails and portions extending longitudinallyaway from said side rails, and

means for securing said upper portions of said stanchion members andsaid tang portions of said end caps to said side members.

5. in a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members havinglongitudinally extending channels formed therein and havingsubstantially hollow end portions,

a p urality of stanchion members each having a lower portion secured tothe vehicle and an upper portion engageable with said channels in saidside members,

a plurality of end caps having portions fixedly secured within thehollow end portions of said side rails and portions extendinglongitudinally away from said side rails,

a plurality of cross members extending laterally between said sidemembers,

a pair of retaining brackets rigidly secured to the opposite ends ofeach of said cross members, and

means for securing the opposite ends of said one cross member to the endcaps mounted on the adjacent ends of said side members.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein one of said crossmembers and one pair of said retaining brackets are longitudinallyslidable relative to said end caps and said side members.

7, In a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members havinglongitudinally extending channels formed therein,

a plurality of stanchion members each having a portion secured to thevehicle and a portion engageable with said channels in said side membersfor supporting the rack on the vehicle,

each of said side members defining a longitudinally extending centralcavity,

slideway means longitudinally slidable within said cavities of said sidemembers,

at least one cross member extending laterally between said side members,and

means on the opposite ends of said cross member connectible to saidslidcway means for securing said cross members for longitudinallySliding movement and for pivotable movement about axes extendingparallel to said side members.

8. in a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle.

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members,

at least one cross member extending laterally between said side members,

means for movably securing said cross member to said side members forlimited rotative movement about an axis extending parallel to said crossmember,

means for movably securing said side members to said cross member foruniversal movement about axes extending substantially parallel to saidside members, and plurality of stanchion members engageable with saidside members whereby said stanchion members may be secured to said sidemembers at any longitudinal position thereon.

9. In a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members havinghollow end portions,

at least one cross member extending laterally between said side members,

means for movably securing said cross members to said side members forlimited rotative movement about an axis extending parallel to said crossmember,

means for movably securing said side members to said cross member foruniversal movement about axes extending parallel to said side members,

a plurality of stanchion members each having an upper portion of acomplementary conformation to surface portions on said side memberswhereby said stanchion members may be secured to said side members atany longitudinal position thereon,

a plurality of end caps having first portions engaged with end portionsof said side rails and second por- 13 tions extending longitudinallyaway from said side rails, and

means disposed within the interior of said side members for rigidlysecuring said upper portions of said stanchion members and said firstportions of said end caps to the ends of said side members.

10. In a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members,

said side members having hollow end portions and channel portions,

a plurality of stanchion members for supporting the rack on the vehicle,

said stanchion members each having a portion engageable with saidchannel portions,

a plurality of end cap members each including a mounting sectioninsertable within the end of one of the side members,

a wind deflector extending transversely between said side membersadjacent the rear end of the rack and adapted to deflect a flow of windtoward a rear portion of the automotive vehicle,

at least one cross member extending laterally between said side members,

means movably interconnecting said cross member and said side memberswhereby said side members are rotatable about axes extendingsubstantially at right angles to one of said members.

11. In a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members, each ofsaid side members having a longitudinally extending outwardly directedchannel formed therein, a plurality of stanchion members for supportingthe rack on the vehicle and each comprising a first portion secured tothe vehicle and a secured portion adapted to be received within thechannel of one of said side members, at least one cross member extendinglaterally between said side members, means for movably securing saidcross member to said side members for limited rotative movement about anaxis extending parallel to said cross member, and means for movablysecuring said side members to said cross member for universal movementabout axes extending parallel to said side members.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 which includes meanssupporting said cross member on said side members for longitudinallysliding movement relative to said side members.

[13. In a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotivevehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members,

each of said side members having a hollow end portion at the rear endthereof,

a wind deflector extending transversely between said side membersadjacent the rear ends of the rack and adapted to direct a flow of windtoward a portion of the vehicle, and

bracket members having portions received within said hollow end portionsof said side members and secured to said side members. said bracketmembers being operable to support said wind deflector adjacent theopposite ends thereof] 14. In a rack for carrying luggage or the like onan automotive vehicle,

a pair of laterally extending spaced parallel side members havinglongitudinally extending laterally outwardly directed channels formedthereon,

at least one cross-member extending transversely be tween said sidemembers,

a plurality of stanchion members each having a portion secured to thevehicle and a portion engageable with the channel of one of said sidemembers for supporting the rack on the vehicle, whereby said stanchionmembers may be secured to said side members at any longitudinal positionthereon, and

means on the opposite ends of said cross member and cooperable means onthe laterally inner sides of said side members for securing said crossmember to said side members in a manner such that said cross member maybe adjusted longitudinally of said side members without interfering withsaid stanchion members.

15. In a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of laterally extending spaced parallel side members havinglongitudinally extending laterally outwardly directed channel formedthereon,

at least one cross member extending transversely between said sidemembers,

a plurality of stanchion members each having a portion secured to thevehicle and a portion engageable with the channel of one of said sidemembers [or supporting the rack on the vehicle, whereby said stanchionmembers may be secured to said side members at any longitudinal positionthereon,

bracket means on the opposite ends of said cross member,

channel defining means extending longitudinally of said side members onthe laterally inner sides thereof, and

slideway means connectable to said bracket means and longitudinallyslidable within said channel defining means, whereby said cross membermay be adjusted longitudinally of said side members without interferringwith said stanchion members.

[16. In a rack of carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members,

a plurality of stanchion members for supporting the rack on the vehicle,

a wind deflector extending transversely between said side membersadjacent the back end of the rack and adapted to direct a flow of windtoward a rear portion of the automotive vehicle, and

end cap means mounted on and extending rearwardly from said side membersfor securing said wind deflector thereto] 17. In a rack for carryingluggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members,

a plurality of stanchion members for supporting the rack on the vehicle,

a wind deflector extending transversely between said side membersadjacent the back end of the rack and adapted to direct a flow of windtoward a rear portion of the automotive vehicle, and

end cap means mounted on and extending rearwardly from said side membersand comprising the sole means for cantilever supporting said winddeflector on said side members.

18. In a rack of carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel side members,

support means for supporting said side members on the vehicle,

the rearward ends of said side members extending in a cantilever mannerrearwardly from said support means,

at least one cross rail extending transversely between said sidemembers,

a transversely extending wind deflector adapted to direct a flow of windtoward a rear portion of the automotive vehicle, and

means for supporting said wind deflector on the rearward terminal endsof side members independent of any cross rail.

19. A luggage rack as defined in claim 18 wherein said means forsupporting said wind deflector is telescopically engageable with therearward ends of said side members.

20. A luggage rack as defined in claim 18 which includes means defininga recessed portion adjacent the rearward ends of said side members, andwherein said means for supporting said wind deflector includes portionsreceivable within said recessed portions.

21. A luggage rack as defined in claim 20 wherein said recessed portiondefines a longitudinally extending guideway and wherein said supportmeans defines the rearward terminal end of said guideway.

22. A luggage rack as defined in claim 18 wherein said means forsupporting said wind deflector comprises a support member having a firstsection connected to said wind deflector and a second section engageablewith the rearward ends of said side members, said second section of saidsupport member having a portion thereof of substantially the samecross-sectional shape as said side members and forming a rearwardprojecting extension thereof.

23. A luggage rack as defined in claim 22 wherein the rearward ends ofsaid side members are formed with longitudinally extending recessedportions, and wherein said support member closes the rearward end ofsaid recessed portion.

24. In a rack for carrying luggage or the like on an automotive vehicle,

a pair of spaced multi-sided load constraining side members,

at least one cross member extending laterally between said side members,

means on the opposite ends of said cross member and cooperable guidewaymeans on one side of each of said side members for securing said crossmember to said side members in a manner such that said cross member islongitudinally movable along said side members,

at least one stanchion member for supporting each of said side members,

each of said stanchion members having a lower end portion adapted to befixedly secured to the vehicle, and

means for securing the upper ends of said stanchions to one side of theadjacent of said side members other than said sides thereof along whichsaid guideway means are located, whereby said cross member may be movedlongitudinally of said side members without interfering with saidstanchion,

said last mentioned means including screw means extending between saidupper ends of said stanchions and said side members and disposed out oflongitudinal alignment with said guideway means.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,475,903 7/1949 Klas 22442.1 2,596,860 5/1952McCrory et al. 224-42.1 2,645,391 7/1953 Lecanu-Deschamps 22442.12,698,119 12/1954 Cicogna 224-421 X 2,853,119 9/1958 Balfour 22442.l2,919,841 1/1960 Helm 224-42.1 3,061,256 10/1962 Feinstein et a].224-421 X 3,097,882 7/1963 Andrews 22442.1 X 3,120,914 2/1964 Smith224-421 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,016,168 11/1952 France. 1,061,457 11/1953France. 1,092,494 4/1955 France. 1,299,085 6/ 1962 France. 171,229 5/1952 Austria. 681,156 3/1964 Canada.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

F. E. WERNER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

